Today we’d like to introduce you to Kozy Fawehinmi.
Hi Kozy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Laud Shawarma was born during COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but its roots go back to a simple mission: recreating my sister’s favorite shawarma from Lagos, Nigeria.
My sister often talked about a shawarma spot she loved back home in Lagos and how much she missed those flavors. I decided to take on the challenge of recreating it. After countless experiments, adjustments, and taste tests, I finally made a shawarma that earned her approval.
That moment changed everything.
As family and friends began trying the shawarma, they kept coming back for more. They started referring their friends, who then referred others. What began as a personal project quickly turned into something bigger. That’s when I realized this wasn’t just a recipe—it was a business.
I started selling shawarma out of my home kitchen, building the brand one order at a time. Over the years, Laud Shawarma has moved throughout the DMV area, growing with every step of the journey—from my home kitchen to Beltsville, then Washington, DC, then Silver Spring. Today, we’re proud to serve customers from our locations in Clarksville, Maryland, and Takoma Eats in Washington, DC.
People often ask about the name “Laud.” It’s actually a play on the word “Loud.” That first bite of our shawarma creates a reaction that’s impossible to ignore. The flavors are bold, memorable, and loud in all the right ways. We simply gave the word our own unique twist.
Looking back, it’s amazing to see how far we’ve come—from trying to satisfy one person’s craving for a taste of home to building a growing food brand that serves communities across the DMV. Through every move, every challenge, and every milestone, our goal has remained the same: create food so good that people can’t wait to tell their friends about it.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but every challenge has taught me something valuable.
One of the biggest challenges was starting a food business during the COVID-19 pandemic. While many businesses were struggling to stay open, I was trying to build something new from my home kitchen. At first, my focus was simply on making great shawarma. What I quickly learned was that the biggest challenge wasn’t making great shawarma—it was learning how to turn great shawarma into a sustainable business.
As demand grew, we outgrew our original setup and had to keep adapting. Over the years, Laud Shawarma has operated in several locations throughout the DMV area—from my home kitchen to Beltsville, Washington, DC, Silver Spring, and now Clarksville, Maryland, and Takoma Eats in DC. Every move required us to rebuild awareness, attract new customers, and prove ourselves all over again.
Another challenge was wearing so many hats. In the early days, I wasn’t just the owner. I was the chef, marketer, customer service representative, purchaser, cleaner, and sometimes even the delivery driver. There were plenty of long days, late nights, and moments when I questioned whether I could keep everything moving forward.
The food industry is also incredibly competitive. Customers have endless options, so consistency becomes everything. We had to make sure that every shawarma lived up to the expectations that earned us those first loyal customers and referrals.
Looking back, however, those challenges helped shape the business. They taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of staying focused on quality. Most importantly, they showed me the power of word-of-mouth. From the very beginning, our growth has come from people enjoying our food, telling their friends, and coming back again and again. That’s something I never take for granted.
As you know, we’re big fans of Laud Shawarma. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Laud Shawarma is a Nigerian-inspired fast-casual food brand serving bold, flavorful shawarma, sandwiches, melts, wraps, loaded jollof rice, and other comfort foods with a unique twist. What started as an attempt to recreate my sister’s favorite shawarma from Lagos has grown into a brand that serves customers across the DMV from our locations in Clarksville, Maryland, and Takoma Eats in Washington, DC.
What sets us apart is that we don’t try to be a traditional shawarma shop. We bring Nigerian flavor influences and creativity into everything we make. Whether it’s our signature shawarmas, our specialty sandwiches, or loaded menu items, we focus on creating food that is memorable, craveable, and packed with flavor. We like to say our food is “Laud”—a play on the word “loud” because that’s the reaction our customers have after the first bite.
We’re also proud to offer options for a wide range of customers, including vegan offerings. As our menu has evolved, we’ve worked hard to create choices that allow everyone to experience the Laud flavor, regardless of dietary preference.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the loyalty we’ve built with our customers. Many of our customers first discovered us through a friend, family member, coworker, or social media recommendation. The fact that people not only come back but also introduce others to our food tells me we’re doing something right.
At its core, Laud Shawarma is about more than food. It’s about sharing culture, creating memorable experiences, and building community one meal at a time. We want readers to know that every menu item is created with the same passion and attention to detail that went into that very first shawarma made in my home kitchen. As we continue to grow, our goal remains simple: serve great food, deliver a great experience, and give people something worth talking about long after the meal is over.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
As an entrepreneur, I’m always looking for ways to learn, improve, and stay inspired. One of the biggest resources for me has actually been listening to other business owners and learning from their experiences. There’s something powerful about hearing the real stories behind successful businesses—the wins, the mistakes, and the lessons learned along the way.
I regularly use business and productivity tools to help manage operations, marketing, and customer engagement, but I also make time to consume content that helps me grow as a leader and business owner. I enjoy podcasts and interviews that focus on entrepreneurship, branding, customer experience, and personal development.
I also learn a lot from my customers. Their feedback, reviews, and conversations often provide insights that no book or course can teach. Some of our best ideas and improvements have come directly from listening to the people we serve.
Outside of business, I find balance through my faith, family, and community. Entrepreneurship can be demanding, so staying grounded, maintaining perspective, and taking time to recharge are just as important as any app, book, or podcast.
I’m also an avid reader. While I enjoy business content, I love getting lost in a good novel by authors like Nicholas Sparks and Danielle Steel. Reading gives me a chance to step away from the daily demands of running a business, reset my mind, and enjoy great storytelling.
If there’s one lesson I’ve learned, it’s that growth comes from staying curious. Whether it’s through a book, a podcast, a mentor, or a customer conversation, there’s always something new to learn.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.laudshawarma.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laudshawarma
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaudShawarma/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/laudshawarma
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@laudshawarma
